Monday, June 23, 2025

Mega Hotel (鉅陞嘉義亮點旅店) - Standard Double Room @ Chiayi City in Taiwan

What do you usually look out for when you search for a hotel when overseas? For me, proximity is the most important and for my first night in Taiwan, my main priority was how close the hotel was to Chiayi train station. 

There were a few options and that's when other factors came into play; review score, provision of a gym etc. That's how I landed on Mega Hotel (鉅陞嘉義亮點旅店)! 

Cozy main lobby. 

Display full of souvenirs you should get your hands on in Chiayi! Well, you can show me a room filled with them but without any sampling, you are not getting me to swipe out my credit card. 

Collected our room card in no time since we checked in pretty late at about 8pm! Room card holder contained nuggets of useful information like operating hours of gym, wifi password etc. Important for me. 

Our room was in the next building and while the pathway was sheltered, it meant enduring the cold as we strolled past the zen looking garden in the middle! 

Stepping in to ground level of the next building; wait, isn't this a restaurant? Okay, the signage indicated an elevator on the left. It didn't escape my eyes as well that the gym was right ahead.

Room 911
Yes, I was given a room with an ominous number known throughout the world. 11 September, the date that most people from my generation would remember, even more than the start / end of World War II.

At 20 square meters, the standard double room with a queen sized bed didn't feel small; maybe because there was no wardrobe and minimal boxed up cabinet. 

Bed was okay and my only grouch was that I had to switch off the lights for the bathroom before sleeping as there was just too much illumination streaming out from the glass panels! In most hotels, I could have just close out the door to block out 95% of the lights. 

Gave us a wardrobe pole with no hangers!
Doesn't matter to us since it's only for a night.

Loving the industrial light! Anyway, the room was equipped with a mini-fridge, an electric kettle, an in-room safe and numerous USB ports for ease of charging our devices!

Pretty decent balcony with a view of Chiayi City and the mountains of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range! As can be seen from the second last picture, what separated us from the balcony of the next room was just a thin layer! Hence, let's keep our volume down.

Dry and wet separation for the bathroom! Alex loved the misty shower although the temperature was inconsistent. In case you are unaware, hotels in Taiwan are no longer allowed to provide disposable toiletries for their guests. Therefore, you would find refillable bottles of shower gel and shampoo instead. p.s. dryer is provided.

Emergency route for reference! 

Breakfast
Since breakfast was included, I am not going to reject it! 

Not buffet breakfast though and that's not good news for me since I prefer variety and can choose to remove items like starch. Whatever the case, free and I am not complaining. p.s. do note that you would have to select what you want the day before and for us, at the point of checking in! 

My pork burger set with mashed potatoes, onion rings, salad,  mushroom soup (replacement for the shredded chicken soup), seasonal fruits and a hot cup of black tea. Main reason for choosing pork over beef burger; the latter would be too boring! 

Mushroom was creamy yet without much mushroom flavor and onion rings were more like those you can buy from burger king! For the pork burger, the buns were sadly not toasted and the patty gave me mixed feelings; the minced pork patty was juicy but this had to be the most Asian burger with sauces and spices that reminded me of some minced pork Chinese dishes! 

Miscellaneous
A small gym awaited me and it had a strange procedure; in order to use the treadmill, guests would have to go to the lobby to secure a token! Imagine having to go out to the garden area, wearing just shorts! 

Children's playroom was huge; equipped with ball pit, slides and even video games, no wonder Mega Hotel had so many room options for family suites! 

There's even a 24-hour laundry room, where each use cost just NT$50! This would be more suitable for those with family. For me, I am just too lazy to wait out the 40 minutes for washing and 50 minutes for drying.

Availability of a breastfeeding room. Now, I am ignorant, am not a female, and hence, can't give birth; but why do you need a breastfeeding room when you can do so in the comfort of your own hotel room? 

By the way, right opposite Mega Hotel was a cinema; universal carnival. There are two things I have yet to do in Taiwan, sing karaoke, and watch a movie! Shall pencil in for my next year's visit!

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Address
No. 560, Renai Rd, West District, 
Chiayi City, Taiwan 60045

Map
As above.

Website

Pricing
Standard Double Room - S$119.15
(via Klook.com)


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Sunday, June 22, 2025

Day Six of My 8 Days' Trip to Danang (The City of Bridges) & Hoi An (The City of Lanterns) in Vietnam


Detailed Postings for the Day
With the sun shining so brightly, the day shall start not with a jog but with a walk surrounding Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang. Compared to Hanoi and HCMC, you would realize that Danang had far fewer motorbikes! 

The branded shops with luxury goods apparently from Vietnamese factories that churned them out for export. Although I am not into branded, I do take my jogging shoes very seriously, and a pair of Hoka was priced at only about S$40-50 a pair, a literal 75-80% discount. p.s. buy at your own risk.

Local coffee culture; I sometimes wonder why they have so much time to spend drinking coffee. Maybe too rich until they didn't have to work! 

Alex loves to check out dental clinics whenever he is overseas, specifically to check their pricing. In Vietnam, it was eye-popping cheap; a scaling and polishing session cost just S$16-17 at Chingo Dental! Do note that the person doing it provided no consultation and appeared to be more a dental hygienist, instead of a dentist.

After picking up chocolate bars from Alluvia Chocolatier, we chanced upon a couple taking wedding photographs at the cross junction bordering Trung Nguyên Legend Cafe! For the two aforementioned, I first tried their products at Hanoi and I am ecstatic there were branches right here at Danang! 

Not to rest and not to sleep.

I needed to unload the products purchased from Trung Nguyên Legend Cafe and Alluvia Chocolatier! Former weighed a tonne and we were glad that our hotel was just a stone's throw away.

Stepped out shortly to check out the Pink Cathedral, also known as Da Nang / Rooster Cathedral. Being non-religious, Alex was happier checking out the locals playing Chinese chess right outside the cathedral.

Flower arrangement on the street. As mentioned previously, there were a lot of florists near Cho Han (Han Market) and they were more like street hawkers, without any brick and mortar stores.

Strolling past Cho Han (Han Market).
Not my aim today even though I hadn't explored it fully.

Taking a break with these old school swings! 
p.s. the one in the middle was already stuck before us.

Hardcore protection for the car! 
Against sun, against wind, against theft.

That's a lot of helmets! I wouldn't be surprised to see riders with racks of helmets for them to choose from; elevating helmets to fashion statements. Wait, was that a GRAB uniform for sale too?

Abandoned buildings in disarray. 

A closer look revealed that the above was the audience seating for a stadium! I did a check on Google Maps, and it's called simply as the old football stadium. And yes, it's permanently closed.

The smiling buddha.
Albeit with pointed teeth.

Old school grandfather clocks! Come to think about it, how many people still have a clock at home?! While it might be cool and retro to have a grandfather clock at home, I doubt I would enjoy its booming chimes, that can also be quite eerie late at night.

Many kinds of wheelchairs available here!

Look like humongous wrapped sweets, I figured these were somewhat like dumplings. Google translate put them as beef patterns, which drew a blank for me. From the menu on the left, this seemed to be a porridge place. Those interested can search for Cháo Chả Huy Loan on google maps.

Crossing roads, and more roads! 
Alex must be regretting the "journey".

Cho Con (Con Market) - the local, non-touristy market! Frankly, English isn't common here and for better bargaining, I would feel that Cho Han is a better option for tourists. 

Lunch at Mr Anh Local Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant; full of spots and background for photography, I would understand why it commanded such a high review score on Google Maps! 

GRAB back to hotel as I can't get Alex to walk back, to burn the calorie intake from Mr Anh Local Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant. Bypassed a bike shop and wondering why I would get my own bike.

Back at Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang for the free massage! 

On Grab again and drove past the Han River Bridge, one of the many bridges in The City of Bridges. It was a shining, colorful beacon at night and I told myself to visit later! 

This was such a useful thing to have in all cars! 
Totally ventilated the cool air all over us.

I took this photograph to remind myself to consider this hotel in my next trip to Danang and I totally forgot; choosing another hotel that has more amenities nearby.

Our next destination in clear sight! 

Chùa Linh Ứng Buddhist Temple with its gigantic, 67-meter tall lady buddha (more commonly known as Guanyin Bodhisattva). Well worth a visit for those on their first visit to Danang given its expansive size, including nicely sculpted trees on the compound, plus a great view of the city.

Can't afford to go to Santorini like me? 
Well, you do have a nearer alternative; Sơn Trà Marina! 

GRABbing again; and impressed by the sight next to us, with dozens of boats (including coconut boats), against the backdrop of Danang skyline. Our guide, Hoang, for Hoi An Village Experience Cycling Day Tour, didn't kid us when he said the coconut boats were actually functional and not just a touristy tool!

Carefree lonesome paraglider. Wait, there's a motor behind.
This would make this gentleman a powered paraglider. Envious. 

Abandoned boat??

A row of seafood restaurants and bars along the beach. For the trip I just made a month ago, I actually stayed right opposite but I only checked out one of the bars that was still opened late at night.

Finally got to feel the sand at the famous beaches at Da Nang; initially I thought it was just one long beach but it turned out to be a few beaches along the more than 30 kilometers coastline! The feeling was so therapeutic; I made it a point to ensure I would stay near the beach in my next visit.

Why was this ojisan giving me such an condescending look!? 

The waves at the beach. 
No way you would see me in the water.

Since the beaches face the east, the sunset can only be seen from the other side. That's sad for me as I honestly will not wake up that early to catch the sunrise. 

Kung Fu noodles! 

Street view along the way as I had the intention to walk back to the hotel, a sentiment not shared by Alex who always prefers the convenience, and the opportunity to laze.

OMG, super cute helmets! 
p.s. don't think can use in Singapore.

Upon reaching Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang via GRAB, I decided to jog since I have had to do so that day. The above would be the mermaid statue at the Han River promenade.

I kept my promise; checking out Han River Bridge! 

Pool view at Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang, which with a great view of Dragon Bridge! p.s. pool was more a gigantic tub and it's also next to the fitness corner. For a nicer environment, go up one more level to the rooftop bar! 

Waiting for Alex again at the hotel lobby.
Yes, we shall be venturing out again! 

Asshole still wanted to laze in the hotel room and there's no way I would coop myself when I am overseas! Hence, I proceeded out on my own!

Making my way to the domineering Dragon Bridge.

Just so that I could find a good spot to be closer to the Dragon Bridge during the weekend Dragon Show! Regardless of what some travellers would tell you, the experience up close was most memorable! You can absolutely feel the heat from the balls of fire spewing out from the dragon's mouth! 

Those near the dragon head and on the sides of the dragon bridge would have to be prepared for the water sprays! I am so not willing to wet myself even though it was said that being drenched by the water would give you luck! 

The Dragon Carp Statue; the merlion equivalent for Vietnam!
p.s. picture was taken during the daytime.


Alex must have hated day six as we were walking nonstop! Thankfully, we chanced upon this interesting outdoor Children Activity Area. Click the hyperlinked for the details! 

Ending the night at Anchor Restaurant & Beer.
With a rat to keep us company. 

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